Bolt rope

PabloPicasso

PabloPicasso

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Just completed the first off-shore race of the season - magic!

However, we had a problem putting up the no2 headsail.

The bolt rope that runs down the luff has splayed out like a flower at the top making it very difficult to feed into the track on the foil.

Is there an easy fix for this? Many foresails seem to suffer the same problem, has anyone come up with an easy, home do-able, permanent fix?
 
Tranona said:
Needs a proper luff tape to match the foil.
Click to expand...

I;m not sure I understand this comment. the bolt rope is stitched into the sail luff, which should slide into the foil. It is only the first bit that has splayed out stopping it being inserted easily into the foil?
 
VicS said:
+1

My preference would be with a hot air gun, fitted with a nozzle that concentrates the air flow somewhat.
Click to expand...

Yes I guess that might work but you'd have to be careful not damage the sail.

What about using a hot knife?

But i can't be the first sailor to have this problem most used sails get like this.
 
PabloPicasso said:
Yes I guess that might work but you'd have to be careful not damage the sail.

What about using a hot knife?

But i can't be the first sailor to have this problem most used sails get like this.
Click to expand...

A hot knife is good for cutting rope so that the end does not fray immediately. I dont see it a away of making a permanent heat sealed end.
Thats probably the trouble. Originally cut with a hot knife and nothing more done.

Yes you would have to be carefull not to damage the sail. That's why I'd use a hot air gun rather than the gas ring :eek:
A tapered nozzle ( mine's a B&D one bent a bit to fit a Bosch hot air gun) makes it easier to concentrate the air where its needed.

Maybe you will have to cut some of the stitching to expose the rope more, make a good job of sealing the end, then stitch it back together
 
I would trim it with a hot knife and chamfer the edges a bit.
Then see how much clearance there is in the foil and feeder.
If you can sew around the top of the rope in some sort of whipping to reinforce it, that will help, provided it does not bind in the foil.
When it is done, I would suggest a good coating of wax or silicone of some sort. Economy Tesco aerosol furniture polish works very well, as does melted candle wax if you can get it to soak into the rope, the hot air gun is good for this.
 
How about a very tight minimal thickness whipping using a needle to take it through the sail. The other option is to un pick the stitches that hold the bolt roe in it little tube, pull through to un damaged bit and heat seal before re stitching. A little less bolt rope at the foot of the foot of the sail will make no difference.
I once replaced an over sized bolt roe on a second hand sail with a new length of line from the swindlery, worked a treat for years.
 
PabloPicasso said:
Just completed the first off-shore race of the season - magic!

However, we had a problem putting up the no2 headsail.

The bolt rope that runs down the luff has splayed out like a flower at the top making it very difficult to feed into the track on the foil.

Is there an easy fix for this? Many foresails seem to suffer the same problem, has anyone come up with an easy, home do-able, permanent fix?
Click to expand...

Well this could be the answer

http://www.foilfeed.com/headsails.asp

If rather a pricey one
 
If it's a modern, fabricated luff tape (...and not a bolt rope like you see on a mainsail) it's real easy. I fit these regularly on headsails. They are cut with a hot knife. Just cut the rope and Dacron sleeve to expose a fresh entry profile. Do as a previous reply said and bevel a nice entry with the hot knife.
The loss of an inch or two won't cause a problem

sam :-)
 
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